JP7155392B2 - Damper for soft automatic opening and closing doors - Google Patents

Description

(Cross reference to related applications)
This application claims the benefit of US Provisional Patent Application No. 62/651,612, filed April 2, 2018, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The present invention relates generally to door dampers, and more particularly to door dampers with self-closing capability.

When not in use, aircraft lavatory doors are often left somewhat open and protrude into narrow aisles. There is a need for a washroom door with self-closing function.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a housing, a damper disposed within the housing including a fixed end and a movable end, and a carriage assembly movable within the housing between a closed position and an open position. a door damper assembly including a carriage assembly, a claw assembly pivotally mounted to the carriage assembly, and a spring positioned to bias the carriage assembly to a closed position; ) is provided. A movable end of the damper is fixed to the carriage assembly. The pawl assembly is movable with the carriage assembly between closed and open positions. The pawl assembly is movable relative to the carriage assembly between a non-toggle position and a toggle position. The pawl assembly includes a pin receiving space formed therein defining a pawl axis that is generally vertical when the pawl assembly is in the non-toggling position and non-vertical when the pawl assembly is in the toggling position. . In a preferred embodiment, the carriage assembly and pawl assembly are positioned at the first end when the carriage assembly moves between the closed position and the open position and the pawl assembly pivots to the toggle position at the second end of the carriage path. and a second end.

In a preferred embodiment, the spring has a first end fixed to the housing and a second end fixed to the carriage assembly. Preferably, the carriage assembly has a spring receiving space formed therein and the spring is disposed in the spring receiving space. In a preferred embodiment, the carriage assembly includes a spring projection projecting therefrom and received in a spring slot formed in the housing. A spring projection is positioned adjacent the spring and moves along the spring slot as the carriage assembly moves between the closed and open positions.

In a preferred embodiment, the pawl assembly is pivotally mounted to the carriage assembly by a pawl pivot pin located at least partially within a carriage assembly projection projecting from the carriage assembly. Preferably, the pawl pivot pin and the carriage assembly protrusion are coaxial. However, in other embodiments, they are not coaxial. The carriage assembly projection is received in a carriage assembly slot formed in the housing. The carriage assembly protrusion moves along the carriage assembly slot as the carriage assembly moves between the closed and open positions. In a preferred embodiment, the pawl assembly includes a pawl assembly projection projecting outwardly therefrom, the pawl assembly projection being received in a pawl assembly slot formed in the housing. The pawl assembly slot includes a first portion and a second portion. A first portion of the pawl assembly slot is straight and a second portion of the pawl assembly slot is curved. The pawl assembly projection moves along the pawl assembly slot as the carriage assembly moves between the closed and open positions. The pawl assembly moves to the toggle position when the pawl assembly projection passes through the second portion of the pawl assembly slot.

In a preferred embodiment, the pawl assembly includes first and second pawl members, the second pawl member being pivotable relative to the first pawl member. Preferably, the second pawl member is pivotable between first and second positions and is biased to the first position. In a preferred embodiment, the pin receiving space defines a pin path as the carriage assembly moves between the closed and open positions. The second pawl member includes an outer angled surface that is rotated from the first position to the second position when the outer angled surface is contacted by a pin moving along the pin path from the open position to the closed position. configured as Preferably, the second pawl member is pivotally attached to the first pawl by a reset pivot pin located at least partially within a pawl assembly projection projecting from the second pawl member. The reset pivot pin and pawl assembly projection are coaxial and the pawl assembly projection is received in a pawl assembly slot formed in the housing. Preferably, a pawl spring extends between the carriage assembly and the second pawl member to bias the second pawl member to the first position. In a preferred embodiment, the pawl assembly extends downwardly through the opening in the housing such that at least a portion of the pin receiving space is outside the housing.

The present invention relates to a damper device or assembly for a door. In a preferred embodiment, the door damper assembly is used to damp the aircraft washroom door as it closes. However, this is not a limitation of the invention and the description in this application of a damper assembly for doors used in aircraft is exemplary only. Specifically, in a preferred embodiment, the door damper assembly is a washroom door assembly taught in U.S. Pat. used for The door damper assembly can be used with bi-fold or folding doors.

The door damper assembly of the present invention generally includes a housing having a front cover and a pawl receiving a roller pin extending upwardly from a bi-fold door. The door damper assembly also includes a carriage, a damper, a spring and a pawl. In use, the roller pin is received within the nail.

When the door is opened, the pin, pawl and carriage move to the open position. When the carriage and pawl are in the open position, a track or slot with an upturned or curved end causes the pawl to toggle, open or move to a predetermined angle to release the door roller pin. The door roller pin continues to move with the door to the door open position. This is referred to in this application as the pawl toggling to release the pin. The spring is also stretched to this position. The spring expands and biases the carriage to pull it back to the home or closed position, but the pawl is toggled so the spring is not pulled back. One end of the spring is attached to the carriage and the other end is attached to a notch in the housing.

As the door moves toward the closed position, the pawl receives a door roller pin (the pin contacts one of the arms or heads of the pawl) and pushes the pawl to release it from the toggle. do. A spring pulls the carriage back to the closed position (pulls the door closed). At the same time, the damper extends and dampens the closing movement.

In a preferred embodiment, the door damper assembly has a spring whose load is reset if the pin is not properly received in the pawl. In the reset situation when the pin is not in the pawl, when the pin moves into position it contacts one of the arms or tips of the pawl. The pawl is pivotable to retract and pivot out of the path to allow the pin to pass through the pawl and into position within the pawl. As the pin passes the rotatable pawl arm, the spring biases or returns the tip of the pawl to its normal position and the pin is again captured in the pawl.

The invention can also be used outside of aircraft. For example, the present invention can be used with other enclosures, including bi-fold doors.

The present invention can be more easily understood with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a perspective view of a door damper assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 2 is a view of a door with a door damper assembly in the door header. 3 is a front perspective exploded view of the door damper assembly; FIG. 4 is a rear perspective exploded view of the door damper assembly; FIG. FIG. 5 is a front view of the door damper assembly with the cover removed (the cover is shown upside down). 6 is a front view of the door damper assembly with the carriage assembly in the closed position, the pawl assembly in the non-toggling position, and the door pin in the pin receiving space; FIG. FIG. 7 is a front view of the door damper assembly with the carriage assembly in the open position, the pawl assembly in the toggle position, and the door pin in the pin receiving space; FIG. 8 is a front view of the door damper assembly after the carriage assembly is in the open position, the pawl assembly is in the toggle position, and the door pin has moved out of the pin receiving space as the door is further opened; FIG. 9 is a front view of the door damper assembly with the carriage assembly in the open position, the pawl assembly in the toggle position, and the door pin received back into the pin receiving space when the door is closed; FIG. 10 is a front view of the door damper assembly after the carriage assembly has returned to the closed position, the pawl assembly has returned to the toggle position, and the door has been closed and braked; FIG. 11 is a front view of the door damper assembly showing the reset function with the door pin outside the pin receiving space and moving toward the closed position; 12 is a front view of the door damper assembly showing the reset function when the door pin moves the second pawl member to the second position; FIG. FIG. 13 is a front view of the door damper assembly showing the reset function when the door pin has passed through the second pawl member and back into the pin receiving space;

Like reference numbers refer to like parts throughout the drawings.

The following description and drawings are illustrative and should not be construed as limiting. Numerous specific details are set forth in order to facilitate a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, in certain instances, well-known or customary details are not described so as not to obscure the description. References herein to one embodiment or simply to an embodiment may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment, and such references mean at least one of the embodiments.

When referring to "an embodiment (or simply an embodiment)" herein, the particular features, structures or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment are included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure means that The appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment, nor do separate embodiments mutually exclude other embodiments. do not do. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described that may be requirements for some embodiments but not others.

The terms used herein generally have their ordinary meaning in the art within the context of this disclosure and the specific context in which each term is used. Certain terms used to describe the disclosure are discussed below or elsewhere in the specification to provide additional guidance to the practitioner regarding the description of the disclosure. For convenience, certain terms may be emphasized, for example, using italics and/or quotation marks. Use of emphasis does not affect the scope and meaning of terms, which are the same in the same context whether or not emphasis is placed.

You should be able to see that there is more than one way to express the same thing. Accordingly, alternative language and synonyms may be used for one or more of the terms discussed in this application. Whether or not a term is explained or discussed in detail in this application is not given particular importance. Certain terms are given synonyms. Reference to one or more synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples herein, including examples of terms discussed in this application, is illustrative only and is not intended to further limit the scope and meaning of the disclosure or the exemplified terms. Likewise, the disclosure is not limited to the various embodiments shown herein.

Without further limiting the scope of the present disclosure, apparatus, apparatus, methods and related results according to embodiments of the present disclosure are provided below. Titles or subtitles are used as examples for the convenience of the reader and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this application have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. In case of conflict, the present document, including definitions, will control.

As used in this application, "front", "back", "top", "bottom", "side", "short", "long", "top", "bottom", "back", "front", " Terms such as "inner", "outer" and "lower" are for ease of explanation only and refer to the orientation of the components shown in the figures. It should be understood that the component orientations described in this application are within the scope of the invention.

1-13 show a door damper assembly 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, in the preferred embodiment, the door damper assembly 10 is mounted on a header 102 above a bifold washroom door 104 . Roller pin 100 extends upwardly from door 104 and is received within pawl assembly 12 as described below. The type of pin or other protrusion from the door is not a limitation of the invention. Any rollers, pins, protrusions, shafts, rods, etc. are within the scope of this invention and are considered pins for the purposes of the claimed invention. In another embodiment, the door damper assembly can be located at the bottom of the door.

3-4, generally door damper assembly 10 includes housing interior 15, body portion 16, cover 18, door pin slot 20 (formed in housing 14) and pawl assembly slot 21. a housing 14 having a damper 22; a carriage assembly 24; a pawl assembly 12; The carriage assembly 24 includes a carriage member 28 , a damper recess 30 , a carriage assembly protrusion 32 , a spring receiving space 34 , and a pawl space 36 formed in the carriage member 28 . Damper 22 includes a fixed end 22 a and a movable end 22 b fixed to carriage member 28 and received in damper recess 30 . In a preferred embodiment, the movable end 22b includes a through opening that receives the damper projection 37 therein. As shown in FIG. 1, pawl assembly 12 extends through door pin slot 20 to the exterior of housing 14 . Housing 14 may also include a damper recess 23 formed therein for receiving a portion of damper 22 . Cover 18 may be secured to body portion 16 by threaded fasteners, rivets, welding, adhesives, or other known attachment methods.

Pawl assembly 12 includes first and second pawl members 38 and 40 with inner surfaces therebetween defining pin receiving space 39 . Pawl assembly 12 is pivotally connected to carriage member 28 . In the preferred embodiment, pivotally connected to the carriage member 28 and pivotable within the pawl cavity 36 is a first pawl member 38 . In a preferred embodiment, the first pawl member 38 is secured within the pawl cavity 36 by a pawl pivot pin 42 . In the preferred embodiment, carriage member 28 includes an outwardly extending carriage assembly projection 32 that fits in an elongated carriage assembly slot 46 in housing 14 (ie, body portion 16 and cover 18). The pawl pivot pin 42 is coaxial with the carriage assembly protrusion 32 .

First pawl member 38 includes a pin abutment portion 48 and a beak portion 50 . In preferred embodiments, the pawl assembly includes a reset feature. The second pawl member 40 is preferably rotatably secured to the first pawl member 38 and is rotatable relative to the first pawl member 38 by virtue of this feature. As shown in FIG. 5, in a preferred embodiment, the second pawl member 40 is pivotally secured to the beak portion 50 of the first pawl member 38 by a reset pivot pin 51, as will be described below. It is movable between a position and a second position. In a preferred embodiment with a reset function, pawl spring 52 extends between carriage assembly 24 (eg, carriage member 28 ) and second pawl member 40 . A pawl spring 52 biases the second pawl member to the first position (FIG. 5). As shown in FIG. 3, pawl spring 52 is secured to carriage member 28 by axle 60 . Pawl assembly 12 also includes a pawl assembly projection 54 that is received in and moves along pawl assembly slot 21 . In a preferred embodiment, reset pivot pin 51 is coaxial with pawl assembly protrusion 54 .

As discussed in this application, pawl assembly 12 is pivotally mounted to carriage assembly 24 and movable therewith between a closed position (FIG. 6) and an open position (FIG. 7). . The pawl assembly 12 is also movable relative to the carriage assembly between a non-toggling position (FIG. 6) and a toggle position (FIG. 7). As shown in FIG. 5, first and second pawl members 38 and 40 and pin receiving space 39 define a generally vertical pawl axis A1 when pawl assembly 12 is in the non-toggling position. As shown in FIG. 7, the pawl axis forms an acute angle with the vertical axis rather than vertical when the pawl assembly 12 is in the toggle position.

Spring 26 is attached at one end to housing 14 and at the other end to carriage member 28 . Spring 26 is housed within spring receiving space 34 . The spring receiving space can be of any shape. In a preferred embodiment, the spring receiving space is a groove positioned above the carriage member 28 as shown in FIG. As discussed below, spring 26 expands as carriage assembly 24 moves to the open position to bias carriage assembly 24 and pawl assembly 12 to the closed position.

Carriage assembly 24 and pawl assembly 12 are positioned at the first and second ends as the carriage assembly moves between the closed and open positions and the pawl assembly pivots to the toggle position at the second end of the carriage path. moves along a carriage path having a portion. 6 shows carriage assembly 24 and pawl assembly 12 at a first end of the carriage path, and FIG. 7 shows carriage assembly 24 and pawl assembly 12 at a second end of the carriage path. The carriage assembly 12 also includes a spring projection 56 projecting therefrom (projecting from the carriage member 28 in the preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 4). A spring projection 56 is received in a spring slot 58 formed in the housing. A spring projection 56 is positioned adjacent or near the spring and moves along a spring slot 58 as the carriage assembly 24 moves between the closed and open positions.

6-10 show the door damper assembly in operation. FIG. 6 shows carriage assembly 24 in the closed position and pawl assembly 12 in the non-toggling position, with roller pin 100 in pin receiving space 39 . This is the home position of the assembly components when the door 104 is in the closed position. When door 104 is opened, roller pin 100 contacts the inner surface of second pawl member 40 and pushes pawl assembly 12 and carriage assembly 24 toward the open position. At the same time, spring 26 expands and damper 22 compresses. Pawl assembly slot 21 includes a straight first portion 21a and an upwardly curved second portion 21b. As the carriage assembly 24 moves toward the open position, the pawl assembly projection 54 moves along and within the first portion 21 a of the pawl assembly slot 21 .

As shown in FIG. 7, when the pawl assembly 12 reaches the second portion 21b of the pawl assembly slot 21, the second portion has an upwardly curved shape, thereby pivoting the pawl assembly 12 to the toggle position. As a result of this movement, the second pawl member 40 pivots upwardly enough to move the roller pin 100 away from the bottom surface of the second pawl member 40 . As shown in FIG. 8, after the roller pin 100 leaves the second pawl member 40 and exits the pin receiving space 39, the door and roller pin 100 continue to move to the fully open position of the door.

As shown in FIG. 9, when the user begins to close the door, the roller pin 100 reaches the pawl assembly 12 and contacts the pin abutment portion 48 of the first pawl member 38 . This contact and the force of the door being closed causes the pawl assembly protrusion 54 to move out of the second portion 21b of the pawl assembly slot 21 and into the first portion 21a. In other words, contact of the pin with the first pawl member 38 moves the pawl assembly 12 from the toggled position to the non-toggled position. As this movement occurs, spring 26, which was in tension, pulls carriage assembly 24 and pawl assembly 12 toward the first position. At this time, damper 22 dampens movement of carriage assembly 24 and pawl assembly 12 to prevent the door from slamming shut. The spring 26 thus assists in closing the door and the damper 22 prevents the door from slamming shut. FIG. 10 shows carriage assembly 24 and pawl assembly 12 returned to the first position after the door is closed.

As noted above, in the preferred embodiment, door damper assembly 10 includes a reset feature. This is illustrated in Figures 11-13. FIG. 11 shows a situation in which the pawl assembly 12 requires a "reset". In this situation, the pawl assembly 12 is in the non-toggling position and returned to the first position without the roller pin 100 and the roller pin 100 is outside the pin receiving space 39 . As the carriage assembly 24 moves between the closed and open positions, it will be seen that the pin receiving space 39 defines a pin path PP represented by two broken lines in FIG. In the reset situation, the roller pin 100 is outside the pin receiving space and within the pin path.

In this situation, when the door moves from the open position to the closed position (FIG. 11) and the pin 100 moves along the pin path PP, the pin contacts the outer inclined surface 40a of the second pawl member 40, As shown at 12, the second pawl member 40 is rotated from the first position to the second position. The curved arrow in FIG. 12 indicates the rotation of the second pawl member 40 in pivoting to the second position. After roller pin 100 passes second pawl member 40 and leaves contact with outer ramp surface 40a, pawl spring 52 biases or pivots second pawl member 40 as shown in FIG. to return to the first position. The curved arrow in FIG. 13 indicates rotation of the second pawl member 40 back to the first position. The roller pin 100 is now back into the pin receiving space 39, as shown in FIG.

Carriage assembly projections 32, pawl assembly projections 54 and spring projections 56 extend outwardly from opposite sides of the carriage and pawl assembly to accommodate carriage assembly slots 46, pawl assembly slots 21 and 21 formed in housing 14. It will be seen that it is received in the spring slot 58 . However, in other embodiments, only one set of protrusions and associated slots may be used. In another embodiment, the reset function can be omitted.

Unless otherwise required by context, in the specification and claims, the terms "comprise," and the like are to be interpreted in an inclusive sense rather than an exclusive or exhaustive one, i.e., to mean "including but not limited to." shall be As used in this application, "connection", "coupling" or any variation thereof means a direct or indirect connection or coupling between two or more elements, including connecting couplings between elements. can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. Further, the terms "in this application," "above," or "below," or words of similar meaning, as used herein, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to specific portions of this application. . Words in the Detailed Description that use the singular or plural number may also include the plural or singular number respectively, where the context allows. The term "or" when referring to a list of two or more items covers all interpretations of any of the items of the list, all of the items of the list and any combination of the items of the list.

The above description of embodiments of the present disclosure is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the teachings to the precise forms disclosed above. Although specific embodiments and examples of the disclosure are described above for purposes of illustration, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the disclosure, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. Moreover, specific numerical values set forth in this application are merely examples, and other implementations may employ different values, measurements, or ranges.

The teachings of the disclosure presented in this application can be applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide yet further embodiments. Measurements described or used in this application are merely representative and are not limiting of the invention. Other measurements can be used. Furthermore, the specific materials described in this application are merely examples and other materials may be employed in other implementations.

The patents and applications and other references mentioned above, including those listed in accompanying filings, are incorporated by reference into this application in their entirety. The form of the disclosure can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, features and concepts of the various references described above to provide yet further embodiments of the disclosure.

These and other changes can be made to this disclosure in light of the above Detailed Description. While the above description describes certain embodiments of the present disclosure and describes the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the description herein is, the teachings can be implemented in many ways. Details of the system may vary considerably in its implementation details, but are nevertheless encompassed by what is disclosed in this application. As noted above, certain terms used in describing particular features or aspects of this disclosure are limited to the specific features, features or aspects of the disclosure to which the term relates. should not be construed to suggest redefinition in this application for the sake of In general, terms used in the following claims are used to refer the disclosure to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, unless the Detailed Description above explicitly defines those terms. should not be construed as limiting. Accordingly, the actual scope of this disclosure encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the disclosure under the claims.

Thus, while representative embodiments of the present invention are illustrated and described, all terminology used in the present application is descriptive rather than limiting and may be understood by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It should be understood that changes, modifications and substitutions may be made.

Claims (19)

A damper assembly for a folding door with self-closing function for use in an aircraft , comprising:
a housing;
a damper disposed within the housing and including a fixed end and a movable end;
a carriage assembly, wherein the movable end of the damper is fixed and movable between a closed position and an open position;
a pawl assembly pivotally mounted to the carriage assembly, the pawl assembly being movable with the carriage assembly between the closed position and the open position; a pawl movable relative to the carriage assembly between a non-toggle position and a toggle position, the pawl being generally vertical when the pawl assembly is in the non-toggling position and non-vertical when the pawl assembly is in the toggle position; a pawl assembly defining an axis and having a pin receiving space for a roller pin extending upwardly from the folding door ;
a spring positioned to bias the carriage assembly to the closed position;
comprising a
Damper assembly for folding doors. said carriage assembly and said pawl assembly move along a carriage path having a first end and a second end as said carriage assembly moves between said closed position and said open position; 2. The folding door damper assembly of claim 1, wherein pivots to said toggle position at said second end of said carriage path. 2. The folding door damper assembly of claim 1, wherein said spring has a first end secured to said housing and a second end secured to said carriage assembly. 4. The folding door damper assembly of claim 3, wherein a spring receiving space is formed in said carriage assembly and said spring is disposed within said spring receiving space. The carriage assembly includes a spring projection projecting therefrom, the spring projection received within a spring slot formed in the housing, the spring projection positioned proximate the spring. 5. The folding door damper assembly of claim 4, wherein said spring projection moves along said spring slot as said carriage assembly moves between said closed and said open positions. The pawl assembly is pivotally mounted to the carriage assembly by a pawl pivot pin, the pawl pivot pin disposed at least partially within a carriage assembly protrusion projecting from the carriage assembly, the pawl pivot pin and A carriage assembly protrusion is coaxial, said carriage assembly protrusion being received in a carriage assembly slot formed in said housing, said carriage assembly protrusion being adapted to move said carriage assembly between said closed position and said open position. 2. The folding door damper assembly of claim 1, moving along said carriage assembly slot when moving between. The pawl assembly includes a pawl assembly projection projecting outwardly therefrom, the pawl assembly projection being received within a pawl assembly slot formed in the housing, the pawl assembly slot extending into the first portion. and a second portion, wherein the first portion of the pawl assembly slot is straight and the second portion of the pawl assembly slot is curved; The pawl assembly moves along the pawl assembly slot when moving between the closed position and the open position, the pawl assembly moving the pawl assembly projection past the second portion of the pawl assembly slot. 2. The folding door damper assembly of claim 1, wherein the folding door damper assembly moves to the toggle position when the damper assembly is activated. 2. The folding door damper of claim 1, wherein said pawl assembly includes a first pawl member and a second pawl member, said second pawl member being rotatable relative to said first pawl member. assembly. 9. The folding door of claim 8, wherein said second pawl member is pivotable between a first position and a second position, said second pawl member being biased to said first position. damper assembly. When the carriage assembly moves between the closed position and the open position, the pin receiving space defines a pin path, the second pawl member includes an outer angled surface, and the second pawl member extends the pin. 10. The second pawl member is configured to rotate from the first position to the second position when a pin moving along a path from an open position to a closed position contacts the outer ramp surface. A damper assembly for folding doors as described. The second pawl member is pivotally attached to the first pawl member by a reset pivot pin, the reset pivot pin being at least partially disposed within a pawl assembly projection projecting from the second pawl member. 11. The folding door damper assembly of claim 10, wherein said reset pivot pin and pawl assembly projection are coaxial, said pawl assembly projection being received in a pawl assembly slot formed in said housing. . A pawl spring (different from the spring for the automatic door open/close function) extends between the carriage assembly and the second pawl member, the pawl spring biasing the second pawl member to the first position. 10. The folding door damper assembly of claim 9, wherein the folding door damper assembly is biased. 2. The folding door damper assembly of claim 1, wherein said pawl assembly extends downwardly through an opening in said housing such that at least a portion of said pin receiving space is outside said housing. A damper assembly for a folding door with self-closing function for use in an aircraft , comprising:
a housing;
a damper disposed within the housing and including a fixed end and a movable end;
a carriage assembly, wherein the movable end of the damper is fixed and movable between a closed position and an open position;
a pawl assembly pivotally mounted to the carriage assembly by a pawl pivot pin and movable relative to the carriage assembly between a toggle position and a non-toggle position, the pawl assembly pivoting on the carriage; movable with the assembly between the closed position and the open position, the pawl assembly including a pawl assembly projection projecting outwardly therefrom, the pawl assembly projection formed on the housing; a second pawl assembly slot, said pawl assembly slot including a first portion and a second portion, said first portion of said pawl assembly slot being rectilinear and said pawl assembly slot extending from said pawl assembly slot; The second portion is curved and the pawl assembly projection moves along the pawl assembly slot as the carriage assembly moves between the closed and open positions, the pawl assembly moving along the The pawl assembly projection moves to the toggle position as it passes through the second portion of the pawl assembly slot, the pawl assembly being generally vertical when the pawl assembly is in the non-toggle position, and the pawl assembly defines a non-vertical pawl axis when in said toggle position and has a pin receiving space for a roller pin extending upwardly from the folding door , said pawl pivot pin protruding from said carriage assembly. wherein said pawl pivot pin and carriage assembly projection are coaxial, said carriage assembly projection being received in a carriage assembly slot formed in said housing, said carriage assembly projection a pawl assembly that moves along the carriage assembly slot as the carriage assembly moves between the closed and open positions;
A spring positioned to bias the carriage assembly to the closed position, the spring having a first end secured to the housing and a second end secured to the carriage assembly. a spring wherein said carriage assembly defines a spring receiving groove therein, said spring being disposed within said spring receiving groove;
comprising a
Damper assembly for folding doors. 15. The folding door damper assembly of claim 14, wherein said pawl assembly includes first and second pawl members, said second pawl member being rotatable relative to said first pawl member. 16. The folding door application of claim 15, wherein said second pawl member is pivotable between a first position and a second position, said second pawl member being biased to said first position. damper assembly. The pin receiving space defines a pin path when the carriage assembly moves between the closed position and the open position, the second pawl member includes an outer ramp surface, and the second pawl member is adapted to move the pin. 17. The second pawl member is configured to pivot from the first position to the second position when a pin moving along a path from an open position to a closed position contacts the outer ramp surface. A damper assembly for folding doors as described. The second pawl member is pivotally attached to the first pawl member by a reset pivot pin, the reset pivot pin disposed at least partially within the pawl assembly protrusion, and the reset pivot pin and pawl. 18. The folding door damper assembly of claim 17, wherein assembly projections are coaxial and said pawl assembly projections are received in pawl assembly slots formed in said housing. 19. The folding door damper of claim 18, wherein a pawl spring extends between said carriage assembly and said second pawl member, said pawl spring biasing said second pawl member to said first position. assembly.

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